Report: Portland metro area increased exports again in 2015

Published 1:22 am, Tuesday, September 20, 2016

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Portland metro area increased its exports by more than 8 percent last year thanks in part to an uptick in the manufacturing of aircraft turbines and semiconductors.

The Portland Press Herald reports (http://bit.ly/2dg0LUT ) this is the second year the Portland region has increased its exports at a time when many other large metro areas in New England saw their exports decline in 2015.

A report released this month by the International Trade Administration shows that goods exported from the Portland area — which includes, Cumberland, York and Sagadahoc counties — totaled $1.1 billion last year.

Janine Bisaillon-Cary, president of the Maine International Trade Center, says she's encouraged by the increase and the organization hopes export growth will spread throughout the state.